Bangladesh court has convicted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of firing on unarmed civilians and crimes against humanity. The court has sentenced him to death. The court found that Sheikh Hasina had ordered the use of lethal weapons and drones to suppress and kill the protesters. Due to this serious crime he has been sentenced to death. The court also said in its decision that crimes against humanity were committed on the orders of Sheikh Hasina and her associates.

The court said in its decision that under the first charge, Sheikh Hasina did not fulfill the responsibility of handling the situation and stopping the violence. The evidence also revealed that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) could be guilty in this case. The court told that after July 19, continuous meetings were held at the Home Minister’s residence, in which instructions were given to suppress the student movement. Sheikh Hasina ordered a core committee to target the protesters, while Awami League supporters actively harassed the protesters. During interrogation by the IGP, he admitted his involvement in the alleged acts.

The court presented a total of 54 witnesses

The court heard the statements of a total of 54 witnesses and said that this number is sufficient. Evidence received from across the country and additional evidence from various sources were also examined. Also, the report of the United Nations agency was studied and it was concluded that crimes against humanity were committed on the orders of Sheikh Hasina and the Home Minister.

What did the Chief Justice of ICT say during the hearing?

ICT Chief Justice said during the hearing that Sheikh Hasina had given orders to kill the protesting students and other citizens. The court said that in a phone conversation with the Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University, Hasina gave instructions for violent action and insulted the students, which further incited the protests.

The tribunal made it clear that Hasina’s statements were derogatory and inciting violence. He deliberately planned to take people’s lives through his orders. The court also has records of the conversation between Hasina and the vice-chancellor of the university, which confirm her orders.

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The interim government led by Mohammad Yunus in Bangladesh on Monday issued a clarification on reports which claimed that Yunus had presented a map to a Pakistani military officer which showed the north-eastern areas of India as part of Bangladesh. The government described these reports as completely false, misleading and fabricated.

According to the statement issued by the government, Yunus had presented a book titled ‘The Art of Triumph’ to General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of Pakistan. This is not a political or geographical document, but a compilation of graffiti art created by students in Dhaka and other cities during the July Uprising. In this book, a glimpse of Bangladesh’s civil movement, struggles and sacrifices of martyred students has been presented through colorful artworks.

Claim of showing part of India as part of Bangladesh is imaginary

The statement clarified that on the cover of the book, an artistic map of Bangladesh has been depicted in red color behind the picture of Shaheed Abu Syed. The government said that this is a map based on artistic graffiti, so slight differences in the outline of its boundaries are natural. But the claim of showing the north-eastern part of India as part of Bangladesh in this map is completely baseless and imaginary.

What else was said in the government statement?

The government statement further said that when the map in the book was compared with the official land map of Bangladesh, it was found that there was no major difference between the two. The government has appealed to the public not to believe false and misleading news, as such rumors are being spread to harm the image of the country.

Along with this statement, the government also indicated that legal action can be taken against those spreading such misinformation, so that an atmosphere of peace and harmony is maintained in the country.

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On Sunday, a new political party “National Citizen Party” held a big rally in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka and announced the establishment of a new constitution in Bangladesh and ‘Second Republic’. This party has been formed by the students who played an important role in the last year’s big government protests, due to which former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had to step down. About 1000 supporters participated in this rally held at the historic martyr tower of Dhaka.

Call for ‘Second Republic’ from Shaheed Minar
Party leader Nahid Islam said, “Exactly a year ago we had resolved to free the country from dictatorship, and today we have united to lay the foundation of a new Bangladesh.” He declared a 24-citizen agenda and said to change the 1972 constitution to a new constitution. He said that the new constitution will show the aspirations of the youth of the country.

Demand for new constitution, but details are not yet clear
However, no concrete information has been shared about this proposed constitution yet. The party says that this document will reflect a “new generation dreams” and will be prepared with public participation.

Separate rally of BNP student branch
On the same day, the student unit of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) also held a huge rally in Dhaka. Tariq Rahman, Executive Chairman of BNP and exile in London, addressed the workers through virtual medium and called upon the youth to play an active role in the upcoming elections.

Hasina’s farewell increased stir before first anniversary
Both these rallies have taken place when former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is the first anniversary of leaving the country on 5 August. Hasina moved to India after mass protests, violence and hundreds of deaths in 2024. On 8 August 2024, an interim government was formed under the leadership of Nobel Peace Prize winner Mohammad Yunus.

Increasing criticism on interim government
However, the interim government is also facing criticism. Opposition parties have made allegations of failure and human rights abuses to handle law and order. Sheikh Hasina’s party ‘Awami League’ is currently banned and the political situation of the country is still uncertain.

Sheikh hasina call: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ordered the shooting forces to shoot the security forces during last year’s big student protests. This claim has been made in a leaked audio call, which has been confirmed by the BBC. In this recording, Hasina can be heard giving approval for the use of deadly weapons against protesters. She says, “Wherever they meet, they will be shot.”

Kota movement became a spark of rebellion
This protest started against the reservation system in government jobs. But in a few days it turned into a fierce movement across the country. Due to this anti -people, Sheikh Hasina eventually had to be out of power. According to the UN investigation, about 1,400 people were killed in this repression, which was the most fierce political violence after the 1971 war.

Jatrabari murder- 52 killed
On August 5, the police opened indiscriminate firing after the army returns in Jatrabari area of ​​Dhaka. According to new evidence, at least 52 people died, which is more than the earlier report. After these incidents went viral on social media, the anger of the public increased further.

Case in International Tribunal
There are serious allegations against Sheikh Hasina like crime, provocation, conspiracy and genocide against humanity. She fled to India before the government fell. Dhaka has demanded extradition but India has not yet assigned them. The possibility of his return is considered very little.

203 others have also been framed by the International Criminal Tribunal (ICT), including several former police and government officials. 73 accused have also been arrested.

After the removal of Hasina, the interim administration in Bangladesh is in the hands of Nobel Peace Prize winner Mohammad Yunus. They are now preparing the country for the upcoming general elections.